Will the Giants 24-Year-Old Running Back Stay Fully Healthy for the 2026 Season?
Cam Skattebo is back on the football field for the New York Giants. Fans and analysts saw him back in action for the first few drives in the Giants' first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old running back broke through defensive lines as he once did before. However, New York wants him to take it easy before going full force into the regular season once again. The Giants’ sophomore running back was able to use his straight arm to stop his opponents from getting him on the ground. Many also saw that the former Arizona Sun standout was holding back. The question remains whether this running back is truly back to himself.
After suffering a devastating right ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week Eight of his rookie year, Skattebo's promising rookie season came to an abrupt end. The injury required surgery and created questions about whether his physical running style would look the same when he eventually returned. Skattebo suffered one of the more serious injuries a running back can endure, and simply being medically cleared does not mean every ounce of explosiveness immediately returns. Rebuilding football conditioning, confidence, and lower-body strength can continue well after a player returns to play.
However, the Giants fan-favorite running back has taken the time to let himself heal. The physical run has been taking it slow despite trying to get back to his usual antics. Many continue to worry about his well-being. He didn’t land a backflip correctly when he was at Fanatics Fest back in July, which Big Blue feared may be a setback for him. Since then, he’s been running and getting involved in other physical activities. Now the Giants have to balance getting Skattebo prepared with keeping him healthy.
There was another scare earlier in training camp when the 24-year-old left earlier in August practice after colliding with linebacker Arvell Reese and favoring his left leg. Harbaugh quickly described that issue as nothing serious, and importantly, it did not involve Skattebo's surgically repaired right ankle. The team continues to monitor him. They don’t want to put their sophomore running back in full force yet, but they want to see how he does before he can be the guy Jaxson Dart can lean back on. The Giants don't necessarily need the August version of Skattebo to be at his absolute peak.
Skattebo can return slowly as he has been. Many were happy to see him play in the first preseason game and make all the stops. Harbaugh definitely has his eye out for his team's star running back. Hopefully, this team will get to have more playtime with him when New York takes on the Miami Dolphins in Florida. Big Blue should be ready for him full force in the coming weeks.
